BL CL? w/IR?

[jrb]

The Actro motor test set-up in the latest version of EFI gave me this thought.

To get to a brushless motor in ECL, we need to figure out how to make use of a typical EF ESC.

The Actro set-up used a "servo tester" to operate the BL ESC, similar to what has been suggested here before. The issue is line drag and how to get a "pot" mounted in the handle.

So what if we used Infrared to control the pot on a servo tester?

Does anyone know of a simple IR circut/parts could be added to a servo tester?

[steve lewin]

Not that exactly but I've been experimenting with using IR directly to control an ESC. It works at short range (and better at night http://www.ezonemag.com/disc/smile.gif)but the problem I have is what happens when you lose the IR signal. With no signal this is equivalent to unplugging the ESC. The motor simply shuts down. In the sunlight this happens far too often.

I have a way (I think, not tested yet) of getting the throttle to just stick at a level and only change if it gets a good signal but that is quite a bit more circuitry and I'm not too keen on the idea of potentially flying at full throttle while I wait for it to pick up a clean signal again.

Using an IR signal to control a digital pot is certainly possible but might well suffer from the same problem.

Steve

[robertc]

JRB,If you can not find any IR controls to do the job you might consider having the variable resistor on the handle and sending it up the wires. I have already done that if you look at my postings. I have deliberately over engineered by using two insulated leads but one would suffice and give less drag. How much power are we talking here with the brushless? I am only using a direct drive S400 and it works. You could also send the pulses up the wires instead of the variable resistance.
Steve, have you tried a slow on/off with a suitable capacitor tucked on the base of a transistor to overcome the intermittent loss of signal? I will be making an IR control later this year I hope. When I have some time. At the moment I am still playing with the on /off switch on the handle. This plane not suitable for variable throttle. The next one (beginners model -parkliner Mk 2) may benefit from a throttle.
Regards
Bob